New Mexico grad rate rises 7%; LCPS improves slightly

LAS CRUCES — New Mexico's four-year high school graduation increased more than 7 percent for the class of 2012 while the Las Cruces rate remained about the same.

Statewide, 70.3 percent of students graduated in four years in 2012, up from 63 percent in 2011, according to numbers released Thursday by the Public Education Department.

In Las Cruces, 71.2 percent of students graduated in four years in 2012, a small increase from 70.8 percent in 2011, according to the data.

Asian students were most likely to graduate in four years from Las Cruces schools at 97.9 percent while students with disabilities were least likely at 50.8 percent, mirroring statewide patterns.

Asian students in Las Cruces saw the highest increase in graduation rates, up from 88.7 percent in 2011.

Las Cruces students with disabilities and English language learners both saw their four-year graduation chances decrease: from 53.7 percent to 50.8 percent for students with disabilities and 59.6 percent to 55.4 percent for English language learners.

Across the state, graduation rates for all demographics rose, with English language learners gaining the most ground.